Cooling apparatus for bread wrapping machines



April 25, 1939. c. H. PETSKEYES ET AL 2,155,614

COOLING APPARATUS FOR BREAD WRAPPING MACHINES Filed Dec. 17, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l m ATTORNEY.

April 25, 1939. C PETSKEYES r AL 2,155,614

COOLING APPARATUS FOR BREAD WRAPPING MACHINES Filed Dec. 17, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 25, 1939 UNITED STATES COOLING APPARATUS I'OR BREAD MG CHINE! ciimumrmqnemmuiammr. Uclitorl, mm Iowa mention Decunber 17. 1937, Serial No. 180.68

BGIaims.

Our invention has reference to a bread wrapping machine, and has to do chiefly with a mechanism for eifecting a quick cooling of the loaves of bread, after the same have been wrapped. It is of a construction similar to that shown in an application filed by us in the United States Patent Oiiice on the eleventh day of October, 1937, Serial No. 168,442.

It is customary to wrap a quantity of loaves of bread in Cellophane or waxed paper wrap pers, and in the wrapping operation heat is applied to the wrappers to melt the wax and cause portions of the wrappers to cohere. This is more specially the case at the ends of the loaves, where it the end folds are formed, and on the-bottom,

where the lengthwise folds are made. As acousequence the loaves and their containers become heated, and under ordinary conditions would require a considerable period of time in which to cool. The chief purpose of the present invention is to provide means for the rapid cooling' of the loaves, so that they can be delivered from the machine in a reasonably cool condition ready for packing or storing for sale.

The invention consists broadly of a ventilated run-way for the loaves of bread, after passing through the heating field, and means for causing a circulation of air through such run-way with direct application thereof to the heated 3 portions of the loaves.

Another feature of the invention consists of the provision of additional cooling means, such as dry ice, to the main structure, with a mixture thereof with the cooling streams of air, and di-' rect chilling effects.

The particular construction, arrangement, and operation of the invention will more fully appear from the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in

which: v

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a machine embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 4 is an end view of the cooling apparatus from the blower end thereof. I

Similar parts are indicated by corresponding reference characters throughout the several flgures.

The reference numbers 8 indicate portions of the upper side pieces of a main frame, such as was illustrated in said former application, to 5 which pieces are secured inwardly projected channel-plates 1, between which is supported a. series of spaced slats 0, by means of rods 8 con--v nected with the plates 1, and provided with suitable spacers between the slats. At the sides of the slats 8 are vertically disposed series of sim- 5 ilar slats ll, united by rods l2, secured at their lower ends to the channel plates 1, and at their upper ends to strips it, supported by brackets I mounted on the main frame. The rods I! are also provided with spacers it between the slats.

The slats I and H form a run-way for loaves of bread coming from the wrapping mechanism, and interposed between the wrapping devices and said run-way is a heating area to which heat is imparted by means of a bottom plate It, and side plates I1 and It, all of which plates are electrically charged. In passing through these plates the end folds of the wrappers are sealed by the heat furnished by the plates I1 and I8, and the bottom folds of the wrappers, on the lower sides of the loaves, are sealed by the heat furnished by the plate It. After leaving this heated area it is desirable that the loaves be cooled as rapidly as possible, and this is accomplished in the passage of the loaves from the heated field to the 2. point of their discharge upon a. slide 2| at the end of the runway opposite to the heating plates. The movement of the loaves of bread in succession along the slats 8 is caused by a' series of hinged arms 22 carried by bars 23, capable of a reciprocating movement between pairs of rollers 24 and 25 mounted on the strips l3. This is similar to the showing in said former application, and has no part in the cooling operation, except that of conveying the loaves through the cooling area.

Supported on the frame pieces at that end of the run-way from which the loaves are delivered is a pair of plates 21, on which are mounted blow, er casings 2B, cont g rotors 29 on the ends of shafts 30, which safts are extensions of the drive-shafts of small motors 3i, mounted on the plates 21 near said casings. At their inner sides the casings 28 are connected with conduits 32, extending along the outer faces of the slats I l, and provided with openings 33 between the slats, and forming passages for air therethrough. As shown in Fig. 1, the lateral diameter of the conduits is gradually decreased in the direction of the heating area. When the rotors are in operation currents of air are being directed through the conduits and out of the openings, with a chilling effect upon the loaves, and more specially upon the ends and lower sides thereof. To more effectively cool the lower sides of the loaves a late 34 is supported beneath the slats I. which 55 0! the run-way they' are practically cooled,

' for distribution.

is shown anauxiliary casing ll, cone casing II, and communicating opening ll, through which cooling masuch as ice or dry ice can be placed in the casing Upon the operation of the blower a cur- Patent. is; a

1. In a bread wrapping machine, provided with a ileld in which the wrapped loaves are heated, a mum adjacent to said held for the conveyanee and delivery of said loaves consisting oi. spaced slats. and means for producing a circulation of air between said slats.

2.'In a bread wrapping machine, including means for the application of heat to the wrapped leaves, to seal the same, the combination with said means of a cooling apparatus consisting of spaced slats, and means for causing a circulation of air through said spaces.

3. In a bread wrapping machine, a cooling In the upper part oi! the 'casing ll means for apb ina beat to the wrapped loaves. 1.

a runway adjacent to said means for the conveyance and delivery or said loaves. consisting 01' a slide ior ned o! spaced slats. side pieces formed of spaced slats, a plate beneath said slide.

blowers at the delivery'end oi said run-way. and u conduits connected with said blowers and provided with means for discharge oi air currents through said side pieces.

6. In a bread wrapping machine, including means for applyingheat to the wrawed leaves. a Q

run-way adapted to receive a succession oi loaves i'rom saidilrst named means, consisting 0! a slide, side pieces formed of spaced slats, conduits at the sides of said side pieces provided with openings into the spaces between said slats, and

tapered in the direction from which the loaves are fed, and blowers at th'eopposite ends of said conduits to provide currents of air therein. 7

3 apparatus consisting of a series of spaced slats,

and a blower device adjacent to said slats and I 

